Dirt Path

[Winters]

With the blond now coming toward him, Arcian put on a grin, and then slung his rifle onto his shoulder. Lifting up to medium sized boxes from the ground, he moved his hand around the garbage bags over them to keep the rain from soaking the contents. The woman, Nina, had been a little riled up as to who it was that shot near her, but somehow, deep down inside, Arcian could think that maybe she was just a little happy to see him. "Easy now, chica. Normally I like to enter with a bang, but cant have that at this time a night, can we? Lets talk in the garage, should be dry in there. The isnt letting up anytime soon, and if there were anymore zombies in the area, well see him from there." Without even asking if Nina could help him, Arcian ran with the two boxes into the garage, holding the door open as the blond entered behind him.

Laying them onto the ground, he removed the garbage bags, and tossed them to the side. Opening them up, he reveled quite a bit of ammunition. 9mm, lots of boxes, and a few empty magazines. Altogether, there wasnt more than a few hundred rounds, but once they got them into magazines, it would mean access to weaponry. "Sure, you might be able to get by a zombie or two with that thing, no problem. But what if you run into something a little more challenging? You dont have to worry about running, you can stay and fight if you have to. All thats left to do it teach you how to shoot, and you should be good to go. Pretty much as easy as point and pulling the trigger, but believe me, you wanna be prepared for the worst."

Of course, it all depended on opinion. Nina and Vic seemed to be the type who travel around, collecting supplies from different areas. They didnt have any firepower, never needed it when they had perfectly good tools to use against the infected. But where Arcian saw action, lots and lots of bullets were needed, majority of the time. It was just two different perspectives on either end, besides, Nina didnt look the type to be firing off a handgun. "No offense, it just doesnt look like you have any experience with shooting, thats all. Guns a lot more then just a loud noise, you should see how easy it is to take down one of those infected with a bullet to the head. Being ready for any situation is key to survival, im sure even you know that, dont ya?"

Perhaps Arcians pearls of wisdom werent so effective, and Nina would take them like a boring cinema film. But all he had to offer for these survivors was his assistance. The time spent in the BSAA had change his take on the outbreak. There were always people out there that needed help, and there were always BOW's out there that needed to be exterminated. Sure, they were a security force to kill off the infection, but Arcian has been through every last waking minute of the first outbreak. He knows that keeping people like Nina, Claire, and Vic alive is the only way the world is going to keep on moving. Without survivors like them, the human race out just fall victim to the virus. But at the same time, Arcian needed these people more then he could say.

"I uh... I have a chopper coming back for me in a few days. Your more then welcome aboard, guarentee the pilot wont mind dropping you off at a safezone, if you want. Not sure if your boyfriend, I mean, if Vic would want to take that opportunity. He seems to have it made out here. Im not pressing this against you, im just letting you know the option is there. Take it or leave it. I know you would prefer to stay with Vic and his daughter, that man really looks like he needs somebody. As for myself, ehhh, a little extra protection never hurt anybody..." By this time, Arcian had just been rambling on and on. Trying to find an excuse, or just fufilling his personal duties. Sitting down against the wall, he lay his head back, exausted from the hike back to the dirt path. Taking it easy right now was the best for him, he was running out of medication.

Reaching inside of his sweater pocket, Arcian pulled out the small bottle of pills. Unscrewing the cap, and pushed out two of the four remaining, drilling them into him and putting the bottle back into his pocket. He wasnt really sure if Nina was actually listening to him or not, or if she saw him do this. But as this point, he didnt have anything to hide. Arcian calmed right down, breathing normally, and keeping his eyes closed lightly. For a man that couldnt sleep, he did find it relaxing just sit back and chill out, even if it for a few hours. Opening up his eyes to look up at Nina from the ground, Arcian spoke out in a soft, less tough tone. "...Tell me a story, Nina..."

[Nina Machine]

Before she could reply, Nina found herself chasing after him into the dry garage. She wasn't sure if being in a confined space like this was a good idea; more of those things could show up and they could be too late. But then again, two brains against none was good odds. Nina watched him rifle around with the ammo he had brought back with him; she had to admit, she was impressed. Some of those magazines could fit her little pistol it looked like--but the blond had left the gun in the house. So instead, she concentrates on following what he has to say.

"Something more challenging like... a bear? So far, I'd like to think I've done pretty well when it comes to shooting... Nina trailed off for a moment, thinking of those bullets she did waste when she missed her shot. She had no military training or any experience prior to her leaving Texas. Nina chalked it up to good eye sight and sheer luck. But luck ran out in the end--it always did.

Nina arced an eyebrow when the man mentioned a helicopter coming to pick him up sometime in the near future. How easy it would be to get on it, be taken to another safe zone. But what if she wanted a little adventure? Sure, risking her life was in the mix... But then another thought caught her mind. Her brother. Nina's mind raced around her older brother, Trevor. The blond noticed Arcian resting against the wall and saw him take some form of medication.

"I don't know about this.. chopper of yours, but what is that you're taking? And do you know someone by the name of Trevor Hinder? I mean, is he in your little group?" So many questions, and she prayed he had an answer or two. If he did, she would tell him one-hundred stories if he wanted. Nina leaned down in front of him, resting on her knees.

[Winters]

Storytime was storytime, whether Nina told him one or he told her one, Arcians mind would be open, making sure he didnt fall asleep. Reaching back inside his pocket to pull out the bottle of medication, he tossed it over to her. "Caffeine supplements, anti-depressants, and a drug to boost the immune system. Keeps me up and aware of the surroundings." The bottle had no label on it, but there were only two pills left over. The bottle itself had been around for quite some time, since he first entered Raccoon City, passed around between survivors. But, more about this guy Trevor. Could he be a relitive of Ninas or something? The name was ringing a bell, and something told him that the guy was in the western branch of the BSAA.

"Hinder, hinder... You know, I think hes involved with the BSAA too. Last I remember, he was working in Vegas, the name is coming back to me. What, is he like your brother, or something?" Nina gave him a nod, and Arcian continued on. "Well, the BSAA are always on the move, so he could be anywhere in the states about now. If he was looking for you though, my guess is hes somewhere in Raccoon City. But, ehhh, its complicated. We have our own duties, cant be just running around looking for friends and family aside from other people." Which was leaving a little empty room in the situation, because thats just what Arcian was doing. He should be hooking back up with base, and getting back into the flow of things. But instead, he was down here, blending in with these survivors.

However, Nina wouldnt have a clue what Arcian was doing here, and might even think that part of his mission was to help survivors one on one. This wasnt too far off from the truth, as now that a child has entered the playing field, Arcian would have to make sure that Claire stayed alive. He was suppose to call children in to HQ, but that would more then likely involved the girl being taken away from her father, or the two of them would spend the rest of the outbreak locked away in Vegas, or even a checkpoint in New York. Personally, Arcian didnt wanna see that happen, as they all seemed to have things set right here in Arklay. The girl Claire had survived all this time, and was even born into this world in the first place. They know what theyre doing, illegal or not.

"...But, when my ride shows up, if you wanted to come with me to find your brother, id be happy to take you along. Its just, since this whole outbreak started, its not easy getting any vacation time, you get me? Heh, but im sure your brother would be more then happy just to know your alive, thats gotta count for something. Like I said, its up to you." Arcian really had no business sticking around here, but he had his own reasons. The whole thing was honestly very complicated, and on top of that, he didnt feel comfortable with letting Nina in on his plans. "How did Vic and you meet? You two seem like youve been through a lot together, heh, and that little girls taken a liking to ya."

[Nina Machine]

Once he mentioned her brother maybe being in Raccoon City, Nina rushed forward to drop on her knees right in front of him, her hands wringing anxiously. All thoughts of her anger and resentment toward him left her, just as he had left his family so many years ago. He'd be nearly forty by now, she thought to herself. Seasoned and ready for anything. But would he be ready for her? Nina's voice was almost inaudible over the thunder and rainfall.

"Oh god I hope you're right. He... Well, when the outbreak first hit, my family and I were packed up and shipped off to some... safezone, I guess is the word for it. Near Austin, Texas. Except for him... One of my older brothers." The blond cut herself off, watching Arcian's face. She didn't think he looked bored, but she doubted he cared. So instead, she changed topics.

"I met Vic the same way anyone meets someone these days. Surviving. I decided to make my way here, just to... I don't know. See where all this s*** started. We met at that little grocery store. Saved each other's lives really." Nina gave a small shrug, though the events that occurred after their meeting had been anything but small. Then suddenly, remembering who Arcian was, and where he came from, she decided to regale him with what happened to the bible thumping woman from the fire department. After her story was finished, she continued to sit on her knees, looking at him. Waiting for some sort of answer, or an explanation.

[Winters]

"Mmmmmm..." Arcian listened to Nina, it was pretty dramatic. Family all over the place had been separated, he found it hard for anybody to stick together. Even himself saw certain families being taken away by his team, because of infection. It was a hard thing for him to do, and couldnt even begin to imagine how it felt for Nina when her brother didnt make it with them. However, it wasnt like that, this was justified. "Your brother probably stayed behind for a good reason, everyone has their own reasons. Me, I have no family to go to, im just a man working for a company, trying to fix all of this. Doesnt seem like were doing a good job, huh? I dont disagree..."

His eyes were still closed, but Arcian could still feel Nina sitting in front of him on the floor of the garage. He wasnt sleeping, he was just resting his eyes. With the medication, it would kick in soon, and he wouldnt have to worry about it. Until then, there would be one more favor he would have to ask of Nina. Arcian could see how things were gonna go, she wants to go find her brother, that was obvious. Vic had to stay here at the house with Claire, it would be unsafe for him and his daughter come with them. Raccoon City would come tomorrow, that part was for sure. The two of them would search for Ninas brother, hopefully before the chopper arrived. They were losing time, it was like a currency. The more you put in, the more you stay alive.

Arcian opened up his eyes and looked at Nina now, the pills were starting to kick in. His own ammunition was getting dangerously low, and the supply here was for guns he didnt have on him. But that chopper, he just had to wait it out, and press on forward regardless. "Alright, we shoot for the city first thing tomorrow morning. Got lots of ground to cover if were gonna be looking for your brother. We can tell Vic the news tomorrow, see what he has to say about it. Then you and I will move out, ill see what I can dig up about your brother and the BSAA for you. But, only under one condition..." Arcian waited for Nina eagerly respond before finishing his sentence. Then he spoke out, half with a funny tone, half serious. "...You cant let me fall asleep."

[Nina Machine]

Her lips curled up into a small grin. In her opinion, he was doing a fine job of saving the little part of the world he was in. None of them were dead. Nina gave him a pat, though a little awkward, on the forearm before settling down onto her rearend. She drew up her legs to wrap her arms around herself, continuing to peer over at the military man. How could she say no to going with him to the city (where she had been heading in the first place) to maybe find her long lost brother. She didn't even know if he wanted to see her; did he even know she was still alive?

Nina shoved those thoughts from her mind and returned her attention to Arcian. He seemed so withdrawn sometimes, and she hadn't even known him for a day.

"It sounds like one helluva plan. I'd really like it if Vic came along... But Claire. She needs to stay safe." That was his main priority, and she bore him no ill will over it. Nina has full confidence that her and Arcian will be able to watch each other's back just as well. But it'd still be nice. Her fingers began to tap themselves against her bare arms, her eyes still staring at him.

"I won't let you fall asleep, if you keep me up. Even if for a little while..." Nina had never 'kept watch' before. On her couple of weeks being out of Texas, she had holed up in homes or not slept at all.

[Winters]

When the woman had touched his arm, Arcian felt a shiver run up his bicep, and he glanced over at his shoulder. The wound had been healed up now almost perfectly, and he was sure that she didnt notice. because if she did, theres no doubt Nina would have asked about it. Listening to her words, she seemed like a very calm survivor in all of this mess, unlike a lot of other people he had seen over the years. Going back into Raccoon City was going to be a well though out plan, but the confidence had overflowed the both of them by this point, Nina especially. Vic would have came along if he was along, but taking the kid into the city at this stage would just slow them down, not to mention probably get him killed. No offence, but it was just a horrible idea for anyone to imagine, even given the experience hes had.

When Nina said that she wouldnt let him fall asleep, Arcian was glad that she was dependent, that was a key feature of a partner. Thats what she would be in Raccoon City, a partner, and from the looks of her, a dang good one at that. "Yeah, we can stay up, get to know eachother a little more." Of course, Arcian was hinting toward the fact that he was different from your everyday survivor alive today, but she wouldnt catch it, he hadnt showed any signs to her. Yet, at least. The medication had been taking effect, but the symptoms had lowered since he stayed active. The hardest part now was keeping a low profile while he stayed calm. Keeping calm in situations was always his main priority, but now it was slowly eating away at him form the inside.

Just then, there was a small flash a lightning outside the small garage window, and Arcian saw the shadow of a figure. Jumping to his feet in split second, he raised his rifle to the doorway, probably sticking Nina into an alerted state. The adreanalin had started to pump instantly, and without warning, he moved out into the rain to check around the place. The second he stepped outside, Arcian was grabbed from the side, but had moved his body into the garage, tackling the zombie to the floor. Holding onto its neck, he stare into the undeads eyes, gripping his thumb tighter and tighter into his throat until there was a loud snap followed by complete silence. His breathing wasnt even rapid, it was just an instinct. But it wasnt more infected he feared, it was whether or not he should look Nina in the eyes.

[Nina Machine]

From her spot on the floor, Nina rubbed at her already tired eyes. Even at the safezone, she had never pulled what most kids call an 'all-nighter.' Compared to most everyone else around her, Nina had grown up sheltered and protected. For the most part, anyways. There were always the infected banging at the walls and gates. Sure, they had been put down quickly, but not before the scent of their decaying bodies could fill her nose.

Nina came back to the present as his words broke there her reverie. She simply nodded, having heard 'get to know each other' vaguely. They could spend the night regaling one another with wild stories--though she figured he'd do most of the talking. Had he been lonely for so long? It was just a vibe, but Nina believed it had been awhile since he had really sat down with someone or made some sort of connection with another. But once they left here for Raccoon City, they'd be more than a 'connection' of sorts, they'd be keeping each other alive. Very important.

The blond stood up, muscles trembling from surprise (and even fear) when Arcian hopped up and stepped outside. Before she could move forward, the man had swiveled back inside, bringing an infected with him. He handled himself so well--not surprising though. Before she could attack, a loud crunch spread through the air like butter. The creature became limp and fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Nina's eyes widened in surprise. Hand-to-hand combat (survival) was one thing, but she didn't have the physical strength to literally snap the spinal column of an infected by just squeezing the neck.

"Whoa.." That was the only word Nina could get out. What Arcian had just done was quite impressive, and extremely dangerous. When that entered her mind, Nina suddenly became angry.

"What is wrong with you? You could've gotten scratched! Or worse!" Nina had had to lower her voice when she mentioned being scratched, or worse. Though she wouldn't say anything, Nina knew that he had done it out of some pure instinct. He was part of a military organization after all. But he had surprised her--that couldn't be helped.

[Winters]

Seemingly just ignoring what Nina had said, Arcian grabbed the body with both hands, and then lifted it over his shoulders. A firemans carry, fairly easy, especially for a small, skinny body like this. Walking back out of the building, Arcian walked around the corner, and then hurled the body into the treeline. Glancing around the area, he could see no signs of infected. But more importantly, he couldnt sense anything, either. Blinking several times before going back into the garage, he kind of looked away from Nina, making sure not to stare into her eyes just in case. He could tell that she was angry, shocked that he would do something like this. It was wreckless, would have been easier to use his gun, but it saved a bullet.

Upon entering the garage, he closed the door over, and locked it just in case. Arcian looked at his hands, wiping the thick blood off onto his shirt before finally answering the now impatient Nina. "Dont worry about it, I know how to handle myself." Arcian grinned, almost as if nothing had happened just minutes earlier. In fact, he even gave off a little laugh to himself, just trying to keep chill and calm. But he could still feel the rage inside of him, almost like he needed to kill. Only his hands werent shaking from the feeling, when they should be, regardless of who you are and what background you carry. Leaning back against the wall, he finally brought up the courage to look at Nina in the eyes now, hoping that she hadnt seen through him. "Just... Dont worry about it... Were here to guard the house, right?"

Looking at the bag of goodies that he brought in from the Doucette house, Arcian proceded to walk over and pick it up. While the kept in conversation. Digging through the pack, he found a the two 9mm handguns he snagged, along with about ten magazines, each empty, but enough boxes of ammunition to fill them up and then some. Along with this, he had grabbed some .45 ammunition, more then likely the last of it from the house. But this was enough for his own sidearm, but just in case purposes. Tossing the bag into the middle of the floor, Arcian had began to open up the boxes and place the magazines along the floor, taking his time loading bullets into them.

One of the guns that were inside of the bag had once belonged to an old friend of his, who at one time tagged along with him and a couple of other survivors. The times were kind of funny in a way, they seemed to make one hell of a team. But, those were all just memories now, people move on with life. Who knows where anybody is these days, cause in the end, people leave you. Arcian had been alone for the longest time, and had normally always been around different people. Survivors just trying to make it through the week. A lot of them had died, but the odd few lived to carry on, ones who didnt need his help any longer. This is what Arcian enjoyed, people who can find the will to survive on their own, without depending on other people. But it was kind of hypocritical to think, because he himself would rather work with a partner.

That gun that Arcian now held in his hands, he looked at it, admired it. This was the gun he chose, the .45 that got a young survivor through everything. It was a treasure, nobody through away guns, they always stuck around until they either fall apart or become useless. Right now, this was the most useful thing to a certain someone, and the scariest part of all is that she didnt have it with her right now. Arcian thought about where she might be, her of all the people he had known in his past life. When Nina and him get into Raccoon City, he would have his own personal mission. Returning this firearm back to its owner, regardless of the cost. Looking back at Nina, he nodded, and then spoke out. "Come on, chica, help yourself. I know you guys both need some ammunition."

[Nina Machine]

The anger slowly began to subside to be replaced with awe once more. It had been impressive, and frightening all at the same time. He refused to meet her gaze though. Guilt, perhaps? Or maybe he didn't want her to see some sick pleasure in his eyes. Either way, her hands came up to rub at her throbbing temples. A soft groan emitted from her mouth before she watched him bring in some boxes and the like. She watched him for a time, deciding to leave him be about the infected. For now.

"Where did you get all this?" Her tone was suspicious; as well it should be. It's not as if he had just hidden all of this ammo from them up until now. She was guessing it was from wherever he had run off to earlier in the day. But that didn't leave her much to go on. If she was going to go into the doomed city tomorrow, Nina knew she needed to trust him. And he wasn't make that easy for her to do at the moment. Awaiting his answer, the blond began to rummage through the ammo, plucking up a couple of mags for her own pistol. She had no clue what sort of gun Victor owned however, which made her frown to herself. She knew he needed ammunition as well. Not that it would matter if she knew what kind he had; she didn't know what fit what.

[Winters]

Arcian hard poured out a box of 9mm rounds onto the floor, and then began to pop them into magazines for Nina. The ones he grabbed fit into her gun, he could tell this by the looks of the model. Withing just a few seconds, he had a magazine all loaded up with bullets, it came second nature to him. Sliding it over to her, along with the empty one, he spoke out to answer he question. "I have a friend who lives just up the mountain here in Arklay. Figured it was about time to check up on him, and I snagged a few extra rounds for us. Got plenty of them, dont worry about it. Maybe ill introduce you sometime, ya know, if we end up back here..."

It took him another couple of minutes to load about his own magazines, the .45 ammunition. His rifle was running very low, and they would need all they could if they were going into the city. Sure, the chopper would be coming a day or two, but they would still have to protect themselves for the time being. "...You fill up those three there, and ill leave the rest of Victor for the morning. Do you think we should head out before they wake up? Or did you wanna stay and say your goodbyes? Its up to you, really. Im not one for that sort of thing. Better if I didnt stay for any longer then I need to, ya know?" Arcian spoke out, insinuating something different than what Nina would think. But in the long run, it was better then just got the road on the show, and took care of business.

Just then, there was a loud boom coming from outside. Nina had jumped a little, so did Arcian, but it was mainly just reflexes for the both of them. Quickly as it happened, he jumped to his feet once again, and opened up the door. He aimed the newly loaded .45 handgun around, only using it as a flashlight though manly, but to check and see if there anything outside. It sounded like a shotgun going on, which was what put Arcian on his toes. Looking back inside the garage to Nina, who already had her gun ready, he signaled for her to stay inside.

A flash of lightning hit a tree not four feet from him, causing Arcian to raised his guard, and his blood started to flow sharply. It all seemed to happen in an instant, he he bolted the gun around in all directions, ready to fire. Breathing heavily, Arcian came to the simple conclusion that it was a thunderstorm. Holstering his gun back in his belt, Arcian walked back to the garage. The heavy rain fell from the now dark, orange sky. Still holding the rifle in his hand, he leaned against the garage doorway, and stared back at Nina. It was obvious that they both knew it was just thunder and lightning, and that there was no danger. But the look on Ninas face was something he had never seen in one human to another, it was more common to a monster. "Theres nothing out here..."

[Look at the PM I sent you]

[Nina Machine]

Her fingers pushed at the rounds, giving a soft snicker as she realized how clumsy her fingers truly were. After a few more moments, Nina got the hang of it--somewhat. She mulled over his words regarding when and how they should leave in the morning. The blond wanted to say goodbye to the two people who had saved her life a few times now. Not to mention a good last meal, as it were. Maybe she'd eat that can of fruit she'd been saving, just for the hell of it.

She did indeed jump, as well take in a quick breath, turning toward the garage door. Nina gave him a nod before he wandered out into the night once more. Her muscles were trembling all over, especially those in her shoulders. She had a feeling nothing was out there of incredible danger, but who could tell nowadays?

Nina rose up from her position on the floor when he came back in. Bursts of lightning struck the darkened sky behind him and she nearly dropped her gun to the floor. His eyes... Nina gulped back a scream. Was it just a play of the lightning outside? No.. The blond backpedaled away from him just a couple of steps, knowing she'd never live it down if she was wrong. As calmly as she could, Nina mustered to say,

"There's something wrong..." There may have been nothing outside, but there was something in here. With her.

[Winters]

With that, Arcian turned away from the garage, and then looked around the area. His vision had been messing up again, but what he used to call "messing up" was more like an enhancement. The red tinge let him see things in the dark, without that much need for enough light. On top of this, he could see the lifeless forms from somewhere within range. They had been gathered around the treeline, an easy ten of them scattered from all directions. However, they were at least a half a mile away, even more, and no wheres near them at this point. Closing his eyes shut tightly, his breathing calmed down a bit, but the realization that Nina had seen him like this didnt make things any better for either of them.

"I know theres something wrong. But I swear, im not one of them." Arcian turned around again, and then walked inside the garage, closing the door behind him. It wasnt his intentions, but Nina had already picked up her gun and had been far inside the small building away from him. There was just too much happening this time, and he didnt know how to control himself. That was that part that killed him the most, he didnt know why this happening, or if it would ever go away or just keep getting worse and worse. "Im still me, Arc Griffin, im not one of those zombies. I know its crazy, how do you think I felt? But if theres one thing I can say thatll make you believe me, please, I promise I wont hurt you."

Its not like he had anything else to say, nothing he could say would make her believe him. The trembling of her hand holding the gun told him this. Maybe it was better if her just left, went back to wherever it was that he was going. No, he couldnt even think about that right now. Even though he wasnt a threat, at least not what he would consider one, he couldnt let Nina tell anybody else. "You werent suppose to see me like, I cant let you-..." But his words were cut off when Nina had rose the gun toward him, she wasnt stupid, and she wouldnt have much trouble pulling the trigger if he got any closer to her. Arc knew people like this, she was willing to do it to protect herself, and she hadnt really known him for very long anyways. Nina had began to speak out now, trying to keep a straight voice, and get a handle on what was going on here, still training the gun on him.

But Arc didnt hear any words, a jerk in his arm made him fall backwards into the wall. Sliding down low, he felt the pain in his arm, and soon all over his body. This was what happened when the red eyes took over, the side effects, but they werent ever this severe. Arc reframed himself from making and vocal sound, only toughed it up and just let the pain take its course over his body. But he wasnt thinking about what was happening, or about what was going to happen after, or about what just happened. He was thinking about maybe the only thing that would get Nina to put her gun down and help him. "I need some medication, in my bag over there. Purple cap. Theres only two left. I wanna help you find your brother, please!"

It wasnt much of a kind gesture, but Nina had made her way over to Arcs bag, and shuffled through it. Quickly, she found the small bottle, and then tossed it to him, but still kept the gun in her hand. Arc picked of the rolling bottle, and popped open the cap with his thumb and forefinger, then threw in the last two pills. He was thinking about if it was a good idea to be finishing the bottle, even though he just had some not long before. But right now, it was the only thing that was going to keep him alive, and even then, that was just a high hope. "An overdose of this will keep my immune system high enough while I sleep. I need to rest, and you need to get back out there and watch the house, theres a handful of infected coming our way."

Already, he could feel himself starting to pass out from the time before, and with his last tinge of red, Arc could see there was already two of those zombies outside. His red eyes had now dimmed out as he closed them over, and he just listened to Nina speak, question him, but he couldnt respond right now with an answer. As if to lend a hand, his arm held up his rifle from the ground, passing it to Nina. There was enough left to cover the place for a few hours, they would no doubt talk in the morning. However, Arc did hope, really, really hope that Nina wouldnt tell Victor when he woke up about what happened. The less people who know, the better. At least until he made sure this wasnt something that was going to hurt anymore. Again.

[Nina Machine]

Her heart was racing and each beat she could hear echoing in her ears. What was he? Where had he really come from? Was he about to jump her? Nina had so many questions, and no answers to go with them. Which made her even angrier. Her finger was itching to squeeze the trigger, make this newfound problem go away; but could she really do it? He had yet to try to attack her, bite her, all that. Nina wanted to scream.

She opened her mouth to say 'give me one good reason' but he suddenly fell back against the wall, shaking even. Her eyes widened, though mostly from suspicion. What new ploy was this? Trying to pull a sympathy card maybe? And still, she found herself doing as he asked, though caution and weariness was in every step. After seeing he had the bottle, Nina took a few steps back, her gun aiming at him once more. She wasn't about to take any chances with this... whatever he was. Seeing him offering up his rifle, the woman quickly took it from him, only to see him slide along the wall to the ground as he passed out.

But had he really passed out, and were there infected outside? How could she trust him? Before taking a peek outside, Nina stepped over to Arcian and gave him a nudge with her foot. He made no movements, he didn't even appear to be breathing. Cursing at herself, the blond knelt down, gently touching the tips of her fingers to where the pulse in his neck should be. And there it was, thumping upward against her touch. She moved away from him, heading outside, though her eyes were still on him. Could she really go into the city with him, practically put her life in his obviously capable hands? An unsteady sigh wavered from her chapped lips before she finally turned around to face the expansive forest. Inklings of light had spread across the sky, though it gave her no hope of a good day.

With the rifle strapped over her back, and the gun held in her hands, Nina began to make sweeps, as it were, along the treeline. No way was she going in there, and alone. Too many fronts for the infected to come from, and so many spots where she could get stuck--literally. She thought she could see movement somewhere in the still dark forest, but Nina was tired and worn out, the adrenaline had disappeared it seemed. What could it hurt if she shut her eyes for just a moment? Nina leaned against a nearby tree, letting her head rest against the hardened bark. Nina let her eyes close and instantly felt better. It was all she needed and wanted. Sleep and peace of mind. She doubted she could get either.

[Winters]

What seemed minutes was actually hours, and soon Arc opened his eyes to the daylight coming in from the garage. Instant reaction caused him to throw the empty bottle aside, and then jump to his feet, reaching for his gun. He really did fall asleep, and he really was wide awake this very moment, alive. It was almost as if nothing had ever happened, like he was normal. The pain was all gone, and he had no set emotion for the time being. Glancing around the garage, Arc couldnt find any trace of Nina, only the .45 magazines that lay on the floor. The other had been gone, along with the bag, which was obviously the work of the girl. Picking each of his own magazines up, he strapped them onto his vest, and then left the garage. Dead corpses littered the ground around the house, about ten of them from what he could see.

In that time, there had been voices coming from the house. It was audible to Arc because the windows were open, and he was very close to the porch. Stepped up the steps quietly, he put his back against the house, and just listened to the voices inside. It definitely wasnt anything that caught his negative interest, but more or less Nina talking to Victor about her plans for heading into Raccoon City. But as for not hearing the whole conversation, Arc had no idea if she was planning to go at it alone or not anymore. Not after last night. Still keeping a close ear on the conversation, he was expecting a small but poorly detailed cue to enter the house, but one never surfaced for at least a good fifteen minutes...

~~~

"So, youve decided then? Going into Raccoon City isnt gonna be that easy, not alone. I would be more then happy to tag along, Nina, but I know its not a good idea to out Claire in another dangerous situation so soon. She needs to stay here, and take it easy. I do, too. What about Arcian? Hes with the BSAA, he would be able to take you there and make sure you get where you need to go. I dont have to trust him personally, but I do know that the BSAA has helped my daughter. Thats enough for me to realize that he would put himself in harms way to help people like you and I. Speaking of Arcian, did he come back last night?" Vic spoke out to Nina, who had been sitting in the living room. Claire was at the kitchen table eating a bowl of noodles and drinking down a glass of apple juice. Preserved foods and drinks had been something that she never got used to, so it was a real treat for her.

[Roleplay End]